Improvement in convertible postwianteau and bath-tub



E. WATTS.-

CONVERTIBLE P 'ORTMANTEAU AND BATH-TUB. No185,372'.

Patented De.12,1876'.

THE GRAPHIC CDANI.

Umea@ @Freres ETHELBERT WATTS, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT iN CONVERTIBLE PORTMANTEAU AND BATH-TUB.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l 85,372, dated December 12, 1876; application led October 5,1876.

To all whom yit may concern:

Be it known that I, ETHELBERT WATTS, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and usetul Convertible Portmanteau and Bath-Tub; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- aet description ot' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying` drawings, which form part ot' this specification, in which- `Figure l is a perspective ot' my invention when used as a bath-tub. Fig. 2 is a perspective ot' the same when used as a portmanteau.

The object ot my invention is to provide a portmauteau, valise, traveling-bag, or other equivalent article used for the transportation ot' clothing, which shall be convertible into a bath-tub, so as to at't'ord travelers in places where such conveniences are wanting the luxury or comfort of bodily ablution.

My invention consists, broadly, of a portmanteau, or equivalent, convertible into a bath-tub.A

`The invention may be applied in many ways, one of which I have shown in the accompanying drawing'. Referring thereto, A A represent two sections of a portmanteau, each of said sections consisting of the metallic framework B B and leather or equivalent covering C. I) D represent two rods formed or provided at each end with eyes d d, serving to connect the frames B B and to act as hinges for the sections A A. d d are'metallic straps or bars uniting the rods D D, and serving to give a rectangular' shape to the bottom ot' the portmantea-u when closed, as also to prevent the collapse ot the covering C. Said covering extends between the sections A A on both sides, as shown at E E, folding on the bottom F when the portmanteau is closed, and' forming, with said sections, continuous sides for the bath-tub when the device is used as the latter article. The portmanteau is lined throughout 1 with sheet rubber R, and one of the sections,

orboth, it' desired, is provided with folding flaps G G H, to prevent splashing the door with water when a bath is being taken. Said aps, when opened, may be laced at their lines ot' intersection, or may be provided with rigid arms or braces to secure their proper distension. To separate the portmanteau into different compartments, removable slides, not illustrated in thc drawing, may be employed. I I are handles and K k a buckle and strap. The operation and use of the article are as follows: Articles ot'clothing, Svc., may be packed and carried in it as in any portmanteau or equivalent device. When it is desired to use it as a bath-tub the portmanteau isopeued, as shown in Fig. 1',.and the contents removed. Water is then poured in, when a bath may be enjoyed, as in a permanent tubv or fixture. \Vhen the bath is over, the water is poured or dipped out, the interior dried by any suitable means, and the device is again readyT for use as a portmanteau.

That I claim as my invention is- 1. rlhe sections A A, united by a tlexible folding connection, forming, when opened, the ends and parts ot' the sides of the bath-tub, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with the covering C of. a portmanteau, a water-proof lining, R, so as to render the device capable ot' use as a bath-tub.

3. In combination with the frames B B the rods d d, substantially as shown and described.

4. In combination With the rods D D, uniting the frames B B, the cleats or door-pieces d d', substantially as shown.

5. In combination with the sections A A, either or both, folding flaps Gr G II, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing; I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day ot' September, 1876.

ETHELBER'I WATTS.

Witnesses:

G. C. HUGHES, RICHARD GRAHAM.

FFIQEO 

